Newburyport, Massachusetts – The Highlight of the North Shore
Fresh coffee, bagels in the back streets, and a challenging ride to a National Wildlife Refuge.
Newburyport is the highlight of this area. It has a lot to offer: morning coffee, great bike rides, nice beaches, that New England seaside port ambience, and some very good restaurants.
☕ Morning Fuel – Coffee, Muffins & Bagels
Fresh coffee and a fresh blueberry muffin to fuel up for a bike ride is a great start. But if you’re looking for more than a muffin, you can find some interesting breakfast choices along the streets of Newburyport.
🚴 Riding into Newburyport
Riding into Newburyport from Salisbury, a little park is a nice place to stop and take in the views. Just across the bridge, you pick up a trail that takes you along the water and out to the beach.
Riding through the back streets of Newburyport surprises with interesting little “finds” in shops and food choices. Market Square in the center of town is bustling in the heart of the day and especially in the dinner hours.
🏞️ Parker River National Wildlife Refuge – The Best Beach, But a Rough Ride
Newbury Beach in the Parker River Wildlife Sanctuary is the best beach in the area. It is part of the National Park system, so you have to pay even on a bike. If you’ve purchased a lifetime National Park admission card, it is good here.
This beach goes out for about 3 miles. You can ride along a road, but it’s a very rough road — a washboard pattern almost all the way out. You have to keep your eyes on it to pick the easiest path. The reason is this contraption below. It a custom made track for excavators that is extra wide and allow them to be supported on the wetlands without damaging the environment.
Before attempting it, another cyclist gave me this advice, and I’ll pass it on: wear a mask as a barrier for road dust, and carry at least 2 liters of water. I’ll make the same suggestion, and it’s one I follow.
There are some nice beaches out this way, but they are not so good at low tide — basically they become tidal mudflats. Plan your visit around high tide if you want to swim.
📌 Tips for Newburyport
- Parker River road is brutal – washboard surface, dust, and no shade. Bring 2 liters of water and a mask or bandana.
- Check tide charts – the best beaches in the refuge are mudflats at low tide.
- Market Square is the heart of town – good for dinner, people‑watching, and ambience.
- Crepes for breakfast – a nice change from the usual beach food.
- National Park pass works here – if you have a lifetime pass, bring it.
- The trail along the water – just across the bridge from Salisbury, it’s a gem.
Content adapted from Summer of 100 Beaches trips. New page created for Newburyport.